Uses of metals

Metals find number of applications. Some of them are given below.

1)Zinc metal is used for galvanizing iron , in anti corrosion material, in medicinal fields and
in alloys.
2) Iron is used as a construction material in bridges, houses, ships etc. Iron, in the form of
steel is used for making domestic utensils.
3) Tin is used for soldering, for preparing foils, for metal coatings to prevent chemical action
and corrosion, for panel lighting etc.
4) Lead is used in making water pipes, in pigments, batteries, in alloys etc.
5)Titanium finds extensive use in Aircraft industries
6) Pure metals, which display zero resistance to electrical currents, are called
superconductors. Hg, Nb are examples of superconductors. They become superconductors
below a critical temperature of 4.2 K and 9.2 K respectively. Superconductors have many
applications in research and industry.
7) Almost all metals including Zr, Ti find wide applications in atomic and space programmes
and experiments.
8) Mercury is used in thermometers.
9) Silver, gold and platinum are precious metals and they are used in making ornaments.
10) Radioactive metals like uranium and plutonium are used in nuclear power plants to
produce atomic energy via nuclear fission.

Uses of non-metals

Non-metals find number of applications. Some of them are given below.

1) Sulphur is used in making compounds like sulpha drugs, sulphuric acid, in matches, in
gun powder , for vulcanization of rubber etc.
2) Boron, in the form of compound borax, is used in making skin ointments.
3) Phosphorus is used in making crackers.
4) Oxygen is used for respiration.
5) Chlorine, in the form of bleaching powder, is used for purification of water.
6)Carbon is used as a fuel, as electrodes ( graphite ), as a reducing agent in metallurgy.
7)Oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen are used by all living things, they are the 'building blocks'
of life.
8)Iodine is used to prevent thyroid problems.
9) Bromine is used in the preparation of dyes.
10)Some compounds of fluorine (such as sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride ) are added
to toothpastes to prevent dental decays or formation of cavities.